Writings from the wife of a wounded warrior who has been left with mostly invisible injuries.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Together Again

After almost a year apart, we are finally back together again as a family!! On July 31, 2011 our lives changed dramatically! Thanks to our amazing community, family, friends, MAC Construction, Canyon Creek Homes, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and many, many others, we received the gift of a lifetime, a new home! It was the one thing that was keeping us separated, and on August 6th we came home together to see it for the first time.

Before I go any further, I also have to thank my dear friend Emily Smith, who worked her tail off (and also lied her tail off to me), in helping nominate us and then continue through the journey of all of it. She organized all of the volunteers and did numerous other things that I probably will never know about. I love you Emily, and I am honored and humbled by your friendship! You truly are one of the many blessings I have received that I never would have had, if Allen hadn't been injured. You are one in a million, and I will always consider you a dear friend.

Another dear friend that I want to thank is John Steed. He's been an amazing blessing in our lives and also contributed hugely to our new home. John, you are an amazing friend to us and you always give so much. We are honored to call you our friend and our lives are blessed just knowing you.

Many, many people greatly contributed and we are eternally grateful.

As I said, July 31 was the day it all changed. It was the day of the door knock when we heard Good Morning Hill Family and ran out the door to see Ty Pennington, Paul DiMeo, Paige Hemmis, John Littlefield, and Ed Sanders coming to our door. It was unbelievable and very surreal. It is still hard to believe that this happened to us!! We were then whisked away to California to meet up with Allen and begin our life together, again!

Seeing Allen again was the best part!! Don't get me wrong, it was all very exciting and great, but it had been so long since we had all been together. At times throughout this treatment, it had seemed that we may never be back together again as a real family. So, this day was so special and a day I will hold near to my heart forever.

After spending a day in Napa, we all went on an adventurous road trip to Yosemite National Park. I am not allowed to say much, but it was incredible. The natural beauty there and being able to look around and just see God's creation left me speechless. We did a lot of great things together as a family and it was so amazing watching it all unfold. Dreyson was glued to his daddy's side and was so thrilled to be with him again. Makale took it all in and was also happy to have his dad back with us again.

Saturday, August 6 we were back in Kansas again. Watching Allen ride in the limo, just trying to take it all in made me really reflect on our life the past year. It was a great feeling to experience it all with him again and to have him really enjoy it all. There was a lot of anxiety and anticipation as we waited to come see our new home. When we finally pulled up in that limo, we were beyond words. I was really worried about Allen and how he would handle the crowd. I was so awed by his strength during this part of it. He had the option of not having a crowd there at all but he chose to have them there. He knew it would be very difficult for him, but he wouldn't take that from the community who had worked so hard for us, just to make it easier for him. He asked for a few special things, like silence and the limo to not pull away so that he had a barrier between him and the crowd. But then, he even gave the ok for the limo to leave. It was truly an amazing moment and one that was so emotional for everyone there. When the bus finally moved, we were all stunned. I think maybe shocked is a better word! Allen then looked like he was going to pass out so I hugged him for a long moment. He then said he was ok and then the tears started flowing. Allen cried and cried as he took it all in. Eventually, we started up the driveway and we all stopped and he turned around to face the crowd and waved and said thank you. Ty then asked if it was ok for the crowd to cheer and Allen said it was. So, Ty gave the signal and the crowd went nuts. It was truly inspiring. To see the support we have with our own eyes, just made me beyond words. Makale leaned over to Allen and said, "see, you can do crowds!"

The whole thing was just so emotional. We've been in the house almost 3 weeks now and it is still hard to believe. We love it and having Allen home is awesome! He is doing really well and learning to fit in with us again. It is great seeing him interact with all of us again and take the time to rebuild his relationships with us. He is so much better, better than I've seen him in almost 4 years. Having a safe place to live will only help keep him well and encourage him to remain active and give back for all we have been given.

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About Me

I am the wife of a wounded warrior. This season of my life started November 21, 2007, the day before Thanksgiving. My husband was deployed to Iraq and my family had all went to my sister's house for the holiday. My mom, sister, and I were making pies when my cell phone rang. Little did I know that my entire life was about to change. My husband had been critically injured in Iraq. Thus began this season of my life.
We are now three years into this season. We have all changed in many ways. Each day we try to embrace each other for who we are now and not dwell too much on who we used to be. Some changes are not so good, but many are definitely for the better. Just recently, we have started talking about the positive changes that we notice that are a direct result of this traumatic event.
I now know that my passion in life is to help other wounded warriors and their families. There are many needs that are not being met and it is my hope to help fill in some of those gaps for others who are traveling this same road.

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If you would like to post a link to any part of my blog, or copy and paste, please ask for permission before doing so. This is my personal story and is written for the purpose of self therapy and to help other's in similar situations feel less alone or find resources for help. I appreciate everyone's support and comments and will gladly grant permission to people or organizations that have similar beliefs as my own.

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I'm a Finalist!!

MG Bunting presenting SGT Hill with Purple Heart

December 3, 2007 WRAMC

Family Pic

June 2010

New York City Wounded Warrior Trip with the FDNY

Riding an FDNY fireboat to the statue of liberty. May 2008

Family

There is no bond stronger than the one that exists in a family. It allows us to fail without fault, to learn without loss,to love without condition. It is how we become who we are...-Brooke Vogel

Allen, Gina, Makale, and Dreyson

Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, NY

Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute

Makale and Dreyson with Mickey and Minnie in Orlando December 2008

Daddy and the Boys

Hanging out in the hottub

Lightning McQueen at Hollywood Studios

Posing with Lightning McQueen

Makale @ Sunflower State Games

Makale and Heather displaying their medals from the Sunflower State Games August 2007